IPL: MI fans can now bay for more sixes from Rohit Sharma Stand

When Mumbai Indians resume their IPL campaign against Delhi Capitals at the Wankhede Stadium next Wednesday (21 May), the crowd at the newly christened Rohit Sharma Stand will bay for more sixes from him. Given the fact that the stand is located between his favourite corner between mid on and mid wicket, it’s quite possible that few pulls may land there if the former MI captain gets going.

  It was an emotional moment for the Sharma family, his wife Ritika Sajdeh as the stand was ceremonially inaugurated on Friday – with the ‘Hitman’ joining the exalted company of Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, Dilip Vengsarkar, Vijay Merchant and Ajit Wadekar. While the six now have dedicated stands named after them, there are gates named after Polly Umrigar and Vinoo Mankad outside.

  Mumbaikars are known to be rather conservative in accepting someone in their Roll of Honour, but Rohit has surely pulled his weight on the basis of being a white ball giant and now a former Test captain – not to speak of his contribution as the most successful Mumbai Indians captain. His retirement from Test cricket more than a week back was only a tipping point – while the decision had the blessings of  Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and NCP-SCP chief Sharad Pawar.

The emotional significance of the honour and it’s timing is hard to miss, with congratulations pouring in from his India, MI teammates and the IPL ecosystem reflecting the respect and acceptance for the cricketer. Speaking to National Herald, Nadeem Menon, curator of Wankhede and a former apex council member of  the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) who has seen Rohit’s journey upclose said: ‘’Rohit’s struggle of the younger days does not get spoken about that much but his journey had been fascinating – he has been a self made guy with no godfather. He used to spend hours on the train back and forth from Borivali and it was Dilip Vengsarkar, the then chief of Mumbai selection committee, who had gone down to Delhi to watch a young Rohit play against Air India. He liked what he saw and recommended the rookie to be included in the Mumbai side.’’

  Looking back, a reflective Rohit said at the ceremony: ‘’It’s a feeling that cannot be expressed in words because it would be very unfair to the feeling that I am having right now. Behind me, exactly where I’m standing, behind this stand is a railway track.  I remember those days when we used to come from the train and just to get a glimpse of this stadium back in the day was such a special feeling.  And then  I came near the one-three-day stadium stand.’’

 In a video released by Rajasthan Royals, Rahul Dravid – former India head coach with whom he had won the T20 World Cup struck a lighter note: ‘’You must have hit so many sixes there that they wanted to name the stand after you. However, next time I am in Mumbai and fall short of tickets, I know whom to ask.’’

 Nita Ambani, owner of Mumbai Indians, said in an Instagram post on Friday: ‘’Congrats Rohit! As Wankhede honours one of it’s favourite sons, it now carries not only your memories but your name – a permanent mark of inspiration for every young cricketer. A true legend of our city and our country.’’